Arch support



June 22, 1937.

D. A. REED ARCH SUPPORT Filed May 6, 1956 I I I l. I I

a ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1937 UNHTE STATES z,0s4,45s

ARCH SUPPORT David A. Reed, Berkeley, Calif.

Application May 6, 1936, Serial No. 78,230

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an arch support and callous relieving pad, adapted to be worn in the shoe for the relief of callouses in the vicinity of the metatarsal arch, and has particular reference to the adjustability of such a pad so that the latter may be fixed in the shoe in one of a number of different positions to eifect proper support for the foot.

The present invention is an improvement over that disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,860,595, issued May 31, 1932.

It is the object of the present invention to provide, instead of the single anchoring means for the pad, disclosed in my prior patent, which is located in the shoe to suit each individual case, a plurality of separate anchoring means which will enable the pad to be positioned in a desired one of several different positions in the shoe.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the inner sole of a shoe showing a pad positioned thereon and the means for securing the pad to the inner sole.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, of the structure shown in the latter figure, showing the position of the pad relative to the metatarsal arch of a foot; the latter being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a portion of the inner sole showin a modified form of securing means for the pad.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the structure shown in Figure 3: the plane of section being indicated by the line 4-4 of the latter figure.

The pad consists of a section of wool felt. or other resilient material, molded or otherwise formed to the contour 5, indicated in Figure 2.

providing a th n peripheral edg 6 and a fiat under-surface i, the periphery being of substantially triangular conformation with convex sides 8 and 9, concave base Ill and rounded vertices l I. The pad is placed in the shoe so as to relieve the pressure on the callous, corn or bunion located, as was stated above, in the vicinity of the metatarsal arch.

The exact form of the pad is such that the edge 9 and surface l2 are adapted to conform to the metatarsal arch, and by supporting this arch in normal position, the cause of the callous, corn or bunion is removed and the latter is relieved. The edges 8 and II] are adapted to conform to the approximate contour of the fifth and first metatarsal bones, extending backward adjacent to the internal cuneiform bone. By this arrangement the entire arch is supported in a normal and comfortable position,

My prior patent shows the use of a conventional snap fastener for securing the pad in position in the shoe, the male element of the fastener being affixed to the pad and the socket element of the fastener being mounted, after'the.

correct position therefor has been determined by correctly locating, the pad with respect to the foot, in the inner sole of the shoe. It is evident that to properly fit the pad, and locate the fastener socket, in each individual case, requires considerable time, which of course must be paid for by the patient, thereby materially increasing to him the cost of the pads.

I have found in practice that for a given foot and by so providing for a selection in the position of the pad, the shoes are standardized and by practically eliminating the time required for fitting the pads, the cost of the shoes to the patients is materially reduced.

In some cases, the shape of the foot, or the location of the arch is such that shifting of the pad in the shoe only in small amounts is required, during fitting of the shoe, to properly locate the pad; these distances of movement of the pad being considerably less than the spacing between the sockets M of figure 1. To provide for this fine adjustment I place, as is shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the inner sole, a metallic plate l6 having lugs l1 thereon, which pass through the inner sole and are clinched over on the under surface of the latter, and provided with apertures H! which are spaced apart less than a diameter so that each aperture is in overlapping relationship. The apertures are of such diameter that the male portion of the fastener will snap thereinto. It will be seen therefore that the. modification just described provides for adjustment of the pad in increments less than the diameter of each fastener socket, which slight degree of adjustment is very valuable in fitting with callouses in position which could not be afforded relief by the structure shown in Figure 1.

I claim:

The combination, with the inner sole of a shoe and an arch-supporting pad adapted to be placed thereon, of means for removably securing said pad to said inner sole in different positions, said means comprising a plate having spaced apertures therein secured to said inner sole, said apertures being adapted to receive a fastener element secured to said pad, and the spacing between each of said apertures being less than the diameter of each aperture.

DAVID A. REED. 

